Myst and Riven developer Cyan Worlds has laid off 12 employees after struggling to navigate “choppy waters.”
The studio shared the news on social media and explained the layoffs have impacted roughly half of its team.
“Industry conditions have forced us into a tricky spot where we are having to weigh the future of our studio against the month-to-month realities of game development in 2025,” reads a statement posted by Cyan leadership.
“Throughout the past year, we have been ultra-transparent with the entire Cyan team about the choppy waters we find ourselves in, as well as the dangers ahead. While the news of a layoff was not a surprise to the team, it was (and is) deeply saddening for all of us.”
Cyan said it has tried to “pad the landing” for those impacted by offering severance packages but implored other studios with vacancies to consider hiring its former employees.
The studio is now focused on securing financing for its next project.
“We’ve been around for a very long time and have been through tough times before. Our sincere hope is to continue to be around, and to provide the types of experiences that only Cyan can deliver.”